Russia and North Korea’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Implications for Indo-Pacific Security

On June 19, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang and held a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The last time Putin made a visit to the country was 24 years ago in July 2000 when he met with Kim Jong Il, the father of North Korea’s current leader, and signed a Joint Declaration. This time, the two leaders upgraded their relations by signing a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” (CSP) treaty. Following the CSP treaty, Russia and North Korea are engaging more openly. In late July, Putin offered humanitarian aid to help North Korea cope with damages from massive floods, which destroyed more than 4,000 homes in North Korea’s border regions near China. Russia also sent a shipment of more than 400 goats to North Korea, which was intended to provide dairy products for North Korean children. The two countries are also deepening their military ties and increasing the exchange of high-level delegations. Recently, Kim Jong Sik, a sanctioned North Korean official responsible for the ballistic missile development program, attended a Russian defence exhibition in Moscow that took place between August 12 and 14. Additionally, on September 14, Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu travelled to Pyongyang for talks with Kim Jong Un.5 While there is no concrete evidence that Russia is directly assisting North Korea in developing ballistic missiles, satellites, or other weapons, the increasing military cooperation between the two countries raises significant concerns for South Korea and its allies.